Aimee Lou Wood, known for her role in White Lotus, has found herself at the center of a heated debate after Saturday Night Live aired a skit that many viewers deemed “mean-spirited and unfunny.”
The sketch, which mocked her appearance, showed exaggerated depictions of her character from White Lotus, prompting an emotional response from the actor.
In the days following the broadcast, Wood was seen comforting herself with a friend, wiping away tears, clearly affected by the negative portrayal.
This incident highlights her long-standing struggle with body image issues, something she has been open about in the past.
Aimee’s Personal Struggles with Body Image
Wood has been very candid about her past battles with an eating disorder, including bulimia.
She previously shared how the disorder spiraled during her time at the renowned drama school, RADA, where an intervention from staff became necessary.
At her lowest point, she described feeling trapped in a cycle of self-hate, believing that she needed to “make herself sick” to please others.
Despite these challenges, Wood has been able to reflect on her journey with gratitude, acknowledging that she no longer feels that way about her body.
Eating disorders, including bulimia, affect millions, with over 1.25 million people in the UK alone.
These conditions can have severe consequences on a person’s physical health, particularly impacting the heart.
Bulimia can often be triggered by various factors, including genetic predispositions, personal struggles, and external pressures, such as bullying.
For Wood, some of her early body image struggles seem to have been rooted in childhood bullying.
She remembers being teased for her accent and her “Bugs Bunny” teeth, leading her to feel out of place and unworthy of acting roles.
Career Highlights and Lingering Insecurities
Despite these painful memories, Wood’s career has flourished, especially with her role in White Lotus.
However, she recently revealed that comments from the show’s creator, Mike White, about fighting for her casting, triggered feelings of insecurity.
“My little head goes, ‘HBO didn’t want me. And I know why HBO didn’t want me, it’s because I’m ugly,'” Wood admitted in a recent interview.
These thoughts were a product of her imposter syndrome, where she doubted her worth due to her appearance.
She also discussed concerns about her physical features overshadowing her acting talent.
“The whole conversation is just about my teeth, and it makes me a bit sad because I’m not getting to talk about my work,” Wood explained.
She wondered if this would still be the case if she were a man, reflecting on the societal obsession with women’s appearances over their abilities.
SNL Skit and Public Response
The controversy surrounding the SNL sketch came when Wood’s character in White Lotus was parodied, with exaggerated buck teeth.
The sketch’s attempt at humor, which focused on this feature, left Wood feeling disappointed.
While she acknowledged that SNL often uses caricatures for comedy, she felt that this particular joke was “cheap and unfunny.”
In a post on Instagram, Wood clarified that she enjoys being the subject of jokes, as long as they are clever and good-natured. However, this skit, she said, crossed the line.
In response to the negative backlash, numerous fans and celebrities have rallied behind Wood.
Actress Cara Delevingne posted a supportive message on Instagram, telling Wood, “YOU ARE STUNNING. PERIOD.”
Similarly, Jameela Jamil voiced her frustration, stating that the joke was “the least interesting or memorable thing about this brilliant actor.”
Aimee’s Perspective and Apology from SNL
Following the controversy, Wood revealed that SNL had reached out with an apology.
She shared the exchange on social media, stating that she is not “thin-skinned” and enjoys being joked about, but that the sketch felt unnecessarily mean-spirited.
She emphasized that she has “big gap teeth, not bad teeth,” and called for a more nuanced approach to comedy.
Despite her disappointment with the skit, Wood expressed her appreciation for the apology and the overall supportive messages from fans and colleagues alike.
Looking Back at Her Career
Wood’s rise to fame came in 2019 with her role in Sex Education, where she played the character Aimee Gibbs.
At the time, Wood opened up about the vulnerability she felt while filming sex scenes, admitting that she initially felt “hideous.”
Over time, however, she has come to embrace her body and is grateful that the producers chose not to airbrush her appearance, reflecting positively on her journey.
Aimee Lou Wood’s story is one of resilience and growth.
Though she has faced challenges, particularly regarding body image, she continues to inspire others with her honesty and determination.
Her recent experience with SNL serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle many face with body shaming in the entertainment industry.